ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

The Tiuvac’a’ai’ Tribal Conservation Corps (TTCC) is a non-profit organization established in 2022. An entity of the Fernandeno Tataviam Band of Mission Indians.

MISSION

The TTCC is a multi-beneficial hands-on-training program that will work with Native youth and young adults towards the goals of regaining ecological functionality, enhancing climate resiliency, and human well-being.

OUR VISION

Is to work towards promoting and restoring the cultural values of the Indigenous People through the practice and application of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the protection, restoration, and development of our cultural and natural landscapes. We teach our youth to embrace their ancestral knowledge, which will promote their sense of identity, self-esteem, and self-worth.

Job Description

The Arborist and Nursery Manager ensures the organization’s success and sustainability by contributing to the accomplishment of TTCC’s mission and goals. The Arborist provides direct management for the newly developed Tribal Nursery and Tree Planting Project under the USDA Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant Program in partnership with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (FTBMI) of Northern Los Angeles County.

The primary responsibility of the Arborist is to ensure contract deliverables and requirements are met by creating, developing, and operating a native tree nursery for the benefit of the FTBMI and surrounding communities. This nursery will contribute to local native tree planting initiatives, address communal greening and cooling needs, promote cultural and climate resilience, and support workforce development and native plant education efforts. The Arborist will oversee the nursery’s long-term development and expansion, as well as daily care of various species of drought-tolerant CA native trees.

The Arborist will also supervise cohorts of two 18–24-year-olds from the Tiüvac’a’ai Tribal Conservation Corps (TTCC), a multi-beneficial hands-on-training program for young adults working towards careers in conservation and sustainability. The Arborist will supervise Corps-led tree planting efforts in residential lots throughout select areas of the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys. The Arborist will also lead nursery trainings with corps members to support their personal and career development, expand their ecological awareness, and equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to enter arboriculture or horticulture-related careers.

This position will delegate time between day-to-day nursery operations and tree planting efforts depending on seasonality and needs. Note that hours worked each week and month may vary based on planting seasons, tree care requirements, crew schedules, grant deliverables, and other relevant factors.

Other duties may be assigned, as required.

Essential Responsibilities

Nursery Management

• Establish a new native tree nursery by spearheading nursery planning, layout, and set-up.

• Develop a nursery operations plan to execute and delegate nursery tasks effectively.

• Help decide which climate-ready trees to grow, based on input from program staff.

• Oversee all day-to-day nursery operations including seed sourcing, propagation, tree cultivation, pruning, fertilizing, hand-watering, irrigation systems, maintenance, and management.

• Determine optimal growing conditions for each plant; consider the sun each area receives, slopes in the landscape, soil type, drainage, and other factors affecting plant growth.

• Determine the quantity of stock necessary, and procure and grow from seed, cultivars, and cuttings.

• Understand when to propagate, transplant, and phase out plants from nursery.

• Carefully monitor weather patterns and take proper precautions to ensure the plants are not distressed by unfavorable weather conditions.

• Examine plants for diseases, insects, wildlife damage, and weeds to protect the health of the nursery.

• Implement Best Management Practices to ensure the nursery is free of diseases, such as daily isle scouting routes and cross-contamination prevention.

• Lead hands-on trainings for corps members in a nursery setting. This involves physically working along with youth to teach correct techniques for tree care, nursery procedures, and safe work practices.

• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending nursery working groups, workshops, and/or conferences.

• Create and implement safety policies that adhere to legal standards, including compliance with all local, state and federally mandated nursery regulations, OSHA standards, pesticide and chemical use standards, and labor law compliance.

Tree Planting

• Supervise crew members to plant native trees in residential yards in accordance with best practices, considering factors such as space, water and sun requirements, soil type, homeowner preferences, seasonality, safety, and longevity.

• Assist with community outreach efforts as needed, providing relevant native tree knowledge and care advice to future tree owners. This may involve working Saturdays or Sundays on occasion.

• Ensure appropriate equipment availability for the work crews to perform the work projects.

• Ensure safe work practices, a safe work environment and the proper maintenance of vehicles, equipment, and tools.

Administrative

• Meet program deliverables and outcomes, such as desired viability percentages and tree planting objectives.

• Order supplies and equipment in accordance with established budgets, adjusting as needed with approval.

• Maintain and keep current a database of nursery plants and seed stock.

• Maintain necessary documentation for contractual requirements and prepare required progress reports.

• Attend regular program meetings to ensure that operations and program goals are being met.

• Communicate progress and impact of project activities to project staff and partners.

• Establish and maintain networks with other professionals within the arboriculture and urban forestry industries.

• Other duties, as assigned.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contract a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and/or responsibilities that may be required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time without notice.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.76 - $31.76 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Nursery Manager: 3 years (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Pacoima, CA 91331 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Pacoima, CA 91331: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person